London Stock Exchange honours Nigeria's Ambrose Orjiako the founder of Seplat Energy

NIGERIA'S Seplat Energy and its founding chairman Dr Ambrose Orjiako has been highly praised by the London Stock Exchange (LSE) this week for its role in trying to drive the Nigerian clean energy market.

 

Seplat which is listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the LSE is driving Nigeria's energy transition towards cleaner and more reliable energy. Dr Orjiako retired last month after 13 years as the board chairman of Seplat Energy, during which time he pioneered the floating of the company on the LSE.

 

Yesterday, the LSE organised an event to honour Dr Orjiako, popularly known as ABC Orjiako. At the event, the LSE chief executive, Julia Hogget, praised his many achievements and appreciated Dr Orjiako's contribution to the clean energy campaign and environmental cause.

 

Ms Hogget said: “I have had the opportunity occasionally to meet members in person but this is really the first opportunity. Not all of us but a lot of us have managed to come for this important occasion and to acknowledge the many achievements that you, ABC Orjiako have had in your career.

 

“Seplat was also the first Nigerian company to list ordinary shares simultaneously on the London Stock Exchange and NGX and $535m was successfully raised during that initial public offering (OPO), which was both over-subscribed and the largest IPO in subject."

 

De Orjiako, said: “It is the magnanimity of the LSE and the LSE’s Africa Advisory Group (Laag) that made it possible for us to be here today. It is not an easy thing to ring the opening bell of the LSE and for me to use this to mark my exit as the chairman of Seplat brings very old memories to me starting from 2014 when we first rang the bell to list our security in this market.

 

“One of the things that gladden my heart is the fact that everything on the board turned green as we rang the bell, which is very important for us in Seplat. Colour green not only signifies good performance in the market but green is a very important symbol in Seplat."

 

Basil Omiyi, the current chairman, of Seplat Energy, added: “We appreciate the kind gesture by the exchange and Laag to honour him. Our pioneer chairman Dr ABC Orjiako, who is very well known to you, has led our company to build and nurture a very rewarding relationship with the exchange since its listing.”

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